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Local Democracy Reporting
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Local Democracy Reporting - Latest News [Page 1]
Mackenzie Faces 8.16% Rates Rise As Tourism And Reform Costs Add Up
Wednesday, 3 June 2026, 10:03 am | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
Finance manager Sandy Hogg and General manager Corporate, Commercial and Planning, Murray Dickson, tabled a range of rates increases for the next financial year. More >>
Wellington Councils Formalise Water Infrastructure And Debt Hand-off To Tiaki Wai
Wednesday, 3 June 2026, 9:52 am | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
Some councillors around the region have voiced concerns about water’s future affordability. More >>
'Sugar Hit': Tasman Council Borrow To Stifle Rates Increase As Rising Fuel Costs Bite
Wednesday, 3 June 2026, 9:31 am | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
With rising fuel costs driving double-digit rates increase, Tasman District Council plans to use debt to keep the average increase to 9.9 percent. More >>
Mid-Winter Festival Caters To All Budgets In Tough Times
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 8:05 pm | Sue Teodoro - Local Democracy Reporter
The month-long festival will run from June 27 to July 25 in Greytown. The programme includes light displays, snowfall on the town’s main street, and night-time spectacles. More >>
Waimakariri Council Keeps Rate Rise Under 5%
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 8:01 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon has hailed the efforts of staff in keeping the council’s average rate rise at 4.99%, including water services, in the face of rising fuel costs and Government reform. More >>
ECan Settles On 2.4% Rate Rise
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 7:59 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The Canterbury Regional Council has reduced its proposed average rate rise from 2.9% to 2.4%, following its latest deliberations. More >>
Middle East Conflict Could Impact Masterton’s Rates
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 7:54 pm | Sue Teodoro - Local Democracy Reporter
The conflict in the Middle East is one of the cost pressures leading a lower North Island council to potentially further hike next year’s indicative rates rise. A report to this week’s Masterton District Council meeting flagged cost pressures ... More >>
‘Absolutely Delighted’: $85 Million For Coromandel Roading Resilience
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 7:50 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
“Reliable roads get people here. Wellplanned tourism infrastructure ensures their visit is positive, safe and sustainable, Coromandel MP Scott Simpson said. More >>
HEB Construction Takes Helm Of Ferry Infrastructure Project
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 7:48 pm | Kira Carrington - Local Democracy Reporter
HEB Construction project director Dan Chisnall said the company had assembled a high-quality team and looked forward to working alongside Port Marlborough and project partners to deliver the new ferry infrastructure. More >>
‘Bloody Cheeky’: Council Tow Truck Escapes Disability Parking Fine
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 7:45 pm | Jordan Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
The business owner who took the photo said they had mentioned the brazen parking to a Hamilton City Council parking warden but was just told to “talk to council”. More >>
Lessons From Cameron Rd Chaos: Council Vows To Put 'Community First'
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 7:43 pm | Ayla Yeoman - Local Democracy Reporter
Tauranga roadworks: Cameron Rd and 15th Ave upgrades to overlap. More >>
Bottle Shop Cops Blame For Ōtara’s Public Drinking, Anti-Social Behaviour
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 7:41 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
The DLC is expected to release its decision later. More >>
Sunset Ritual Restores Ancestral Winter Ceremony Beneath Ruapehu Skies
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 5:26 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
The emotional ceremony at Tūroa skifield marked the revival of Hautuku as the central North Island iwi reinstated the traditional ceremony Te Maru o te Tau. More >>
Porirua Road Closed By Slip Set To Re-Open Almost Three Years Later
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 5:13 pm | Justin Wong - Local Democracy Reporter
The stretch of road has been closed since July 2023 when a slip from private land partly blocked the public road. More >>
Ngāti Rangi Unveils Star Compass To Teach Next Generation Of Astronomers
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 5:10 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
The project was led by Ngāti Rangi celestial researchers Riwaru Tihema and Rauroha Brown and designed according to traditional Ngāti Rangi narratives and astronomical knowledge. More >>
Nelson Councillor Claims Colleague Wants To 'Oust' Her
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 5:04 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
Lisa Austin claims that a fellow councillor wants her off the council, and that the council might declare her seat vacant after the Auditor-General decided not to prosecute her over her financial interests. More >>
Napier Council Backs Down On Extra Rates Charges For CBD And Rural Residential Homes
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 4:58 pm | Linda Hall - Local Democracy Reporter
A Bay View lifestyle block owner who felt he was being forced from his land by a proposal to increase his rural residential rates is “more than happy” the Napier City Council has changed its mind. At a meeting on Thursday, the council ... More >>
Mum Denied Memorial Bench For Son Found Dead At Auckland Beach
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 4:54 pm | Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter
An Auckland mum says she will keep fighting for a bench to be installed at a beach where her son died, despite the local board refusing her request. Shara-Lee Porter wants to put a park bench at Arkles Bay where her son Tyler’s body was found ... More >>
Masterton Council Gets 'Could Do Better' Report Card
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 4:42 pm | Sue Teodoro - Local Democracy Reporter
Lyn Riley, president of the Masterton Ratepayers and Residents association, said the results sent a clear message from the community. More >>
Mackenzie Youth Spearhead Action Plan For District
Tuesday, 2 June 2026, 4:35 pm | Claire Taylor - Local Democracy Reporter
The researchers worked with a group of five Twizel Area School students, conducting surveys, workshops, and discussions throughout the district to inform the plan. More >>
